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Re: Glass Mouthpieces?

Author: GBK
Date: 2015-03-05 00:05

I've been using the old Vandoren crystal mouthpieces for my entire career. In the 1970's I selected 3 or 4 (can't remember) out of about 30 samples.

Over the years I have picked up a few additional ones on eBay as they came along just to have for backups. Some were surprisingly good if you look for the ones with the thinner rails. I only dropped one in more than 40 years, and it was entirely my fault.

Crystal mouthpieces will not change facing ever, so if you find a great one (or two, or three) they will literally outlive you.

One small thing to remember - If you use a metal ligature, like a Bonade, it may slip off the mouthpiece, especially when changing horns. To solve this problem, simply glue a few tiny pieces paper thin cork on the inside bands to prevent slippage.

BTW - The only hard rubber mouthpiece that I've ever found which feels to me almost identical to my crystal mouthpieces is an old Borbeck. Luckily, I have two really nice ones which I'll occasionally use just as an alternative.

...GBK

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